Christmas Quilt to support Sewing Hands

This beautiful Christmas quilt was made by Sewing Hands to raise funds for the 2014 projects.  It is approximately 60 x 80 and is full of applique, 3 dimensional items, buttons etc.  It would be a lovely display quilt hung from a curtain rod, over a staircase or on a bed.  A perfect way to make your home bright and cheery for the Christmas season as well as support a wonderful charity.  It was shown at a craft fair for $400 but has now been marked down to $250.  If you would like this gorgeous quilt please contact Sewing Hands at handmadebysewinghands@gmail.com.

Table Toppers

Beautiful table toppers (10 Christmas and 2 Fall) will be on sale at the First United Methodist Church's Alternative Gift Fair on November 10th.  $30

FINISHED

Woo Hoo! Except for our Christmas quilt we are all done with the items for sale for our fundraiser. Here are a few of our table toppers....

Fund Raising Event in November

Deborah and Sharon have been very busy this summer getting items ready for the Alternative Gift Fair this November.  You have already seen a picture of the dolls and matching pillowcases that I'm sure many little girls are just going to love.  But we have also finished many sets of Christmas placemats with matching Christmas tree napkins.  Won't these make the holiday table beautiful?
Take a look -

2014 Project

Our first 2014 project is already off to a good start.  We will be giving 6 fleece blankets, 6 quilts and 6 women's devotional books to a women's shelter in Clinton, Tennessee.  A huge big THANK YOU to Aliza, our sewing hand in Indiana.  She sent in five blankets and we now have the fleece blanket part of the project completed!

Thank you from Laurel Bloomery

We received a wonderful picture of the kindergarten class from Laurel Elementary school showing off their blankets.

 

The children sent pictures of their blankets that they drew and colored.  They all signed their names to a thank you letter their teacher wrote.  But what was most touching was a note from one of the little boys grandmother to the kindergarten teacher.  She wrote:

"We want to thank Sewing Hands for the blanket they gave Michael.  I cried when he came home.  He looked up at me and said now Nanny I won't get cold this winter will I?  That put tears in my eyes.  So thank Sewing Hands for us and Michael loves it."


Mom and I want to thank all of you who sew for us and who support us through donations and prayers.  Many of you do not get to see the joy on the faces of the people who receive our items but I'm hoping that the above note tells you just how much of a difference you are making.


Happy Sewing,
Sharon and Deborah

Future "Sewing Hand"

Lots of things have been happening in the lives of Sewing Hands Deborah and Sharon.  We have a future "sewing hand" in the family.  Say hello to Aislyn Grey Lipsky.

Michigan Delivery

Our Michigan project was delivered !  Here is a picture of our Sewing Hand Lois who made the delivery and a wonderful thank you note from the shelter.

Debra, Sharon and Lois,

 

On behalf of AWARE and the mothers and children that visit our shelter, we what to thank you for your blankets, quilts, hats and slippers.

It is organizations like yours that make differences in peoples live who need it. It was also a delight to meet Lois and her husband when they delivered the donation. I hope that your hands and minds continue your great work.

 

I want to share that we have acknowledged your project on our face book page.

We will be forever grateful for your “Sewing Hands”.

 

Warm Regards,

Pamela

 

Pamela J. Mineweaser

Event and Volunteer Coordinator

AWARE, Inc.

P.O. Box 1526

Jackson, Michigan 49204-1526

 

Office  (517)783-1638 x 126

Fax     (517)990-6769

pmineweaser@awareshelter.org

 

 

"AWARE, Inc., strives to eliminate domestic and sexual violence" while promoting social change and empowering survivors by offering shelter and services.

Become a fan of AWARE, Inc. on Facebook

 

Baby Dolls and Pillowcases

Check out the darling dolls with dresses that match a pillowcase.  Don't you think some little girl will want one?  That's what we're hoping.  These will be for sale at our November fund raising event.

2013 Projects Have Shipped !

Our boxes to Michigan (abuse shelter)  and Laurel Bloomery (kindergarten class) have shipped. A huge THANK YOU to Cylix, Inc for shipping them for us !!!   Their generosity will allow us to use our recent donations for supplies needed for the fund raising items we will be selling at the Alternative Gift Fair this November.

http://www.peepsquirrel.com/index.html

Package from California

We received TONS of purple scrappy squares today from our California Sewing Hand, Lynda. Aren't they beautiful? They are going to make great quilts! She's awesome - thanks Lynda

Many Thanks...and Michigan project is almost ready!

We are continually being blessed by old friends and new.....
    Thank you to our Tennessee angel for his generous gift

    Thank you to Erica, a student at South College, who graciously color copied our Papa Murphy's
    fund raising flyer.

     Thank you to all of the "sewing hands" who have contributed to our 2013 projects:
              Kathy                     Evelyn                     Lois                       Peggy
              Eliza                       Lynda                      UMC women        Patsy
              Kay                         Dottie                      Joyce                     Sara
              Super Girls Club of New Horizons        Mtn Creek Quilt Shop
              Mtn Stitches Quilt Shop                         Sharon                   Deborah

Here is a snapshot of some of the items we will be sending to the abuse shelter in Michigan... quilts are inside the matching pillowcases, slippers, fleece blankets and hats.

 

 

Don't forget our fund raising evening August 29th from 4-7 at Papa Murphy's on Cedar Bluff/Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville.

 

 

Happy Sewing,

Sharon and Deborah

Fund Raiser at Papa Murphys

To all of our friends and followers in the Knoxville area -

We are having a fund raiser at Papa Murphy's on Thursday, August 29th from 4-7 pm (9205 Middlebrook Pike - intersection of Cedar Bluff and Middlebrook).  They have a delicious take 'n' bake pizza that your family would love.  A portion of the proceeds from all pizzas at the Sewing Hands register will support our 2014 projects.

Spread the word - we need this to be a successful event.  Can't wait to see you there!

Deborah and Sharon

Pictures from Hagar's House !

I just received two pictures from Hagar's House.  You will remember that they are in New Orleans, Louisiana and help women and their children who are homeless.  Our contact said that everyone was very pleased with the dresses and shorts and that the quilts really brighten up the rooms.

Baby Boy

Sewing Hands has made a special quilt for a baby boy soon to be born. His mother is one of the ladies in a local women's shelter. Prayers and love are sent to both of them.

Recognition

Sharon from Sewing Hands received the distinguished service award from South College. You may remember their enormous support last year on fund raising and making blankets. What a blessing to be recognized and to have such encouragement.

Project Update

Both boxes for the New Orleans project were delivered . We are waiting on pictures and will post them soon.

A special thank you to Dottie Follett for her generous donation! We were able to purchase all of the spray basting needed for our Michigan project because of her help.

And speaking of the Michigan project....the fleece blankets have been completed and are already on their way up to Michigan. 15 of the 20 quilt tops have been made. Many crocheted winter caps in all sizes have been (and are continuing to be) made. I'll put some pictures of those up too. Plus Deborah has plans to make slippers from the leftover fleece blanket pieces. The Michigan ladies and their children are going to be toasty warm this winter!

A "Sewing Hand"

Meet Kathy - a Sewing Hand extraordinaire from Florida.  She has been helping Deborah with fleece blankets, scrappy tops and even items for our fundraising event this fall.   Thanks Kathy for all of your hard work!

Delivery to Immokalee's Friendship House

Deborah Nichols and Lois Botkin made the trip to Immokalee, Florida on April 1st and delivered 25 dresses, 25 shorts and 25 stuffed animals to The Friendship House (a homeless shelter for men, women and families).  Here they are with Administrative Assistant Ana Estrella.

Super Kids Club girls help Sewing Hands

Once again the girls from the Super Kids Club in Bonita Spring, Florida are busy at work helping Sewing Hands.  You will remember that last year they helped us with the fleece blankets.  This year they are expanding their sewing skills and have been making the scrappy squares for our quilts.  Way to go girls !!!! 



 

 

 

We have also had a number of Sewing Hands making the dresses and shorts that are going to the Friendship House.  They are Kathy Donohue, Evelyn Fennema,  Lois Botkin,  and Deborah Nichols.  Good job ladies!

More Thank Yous

We are well into our 2013 projects.  Here is an update:
New Orleans project:  Deborah is putting the finishing touches on the dresses/shorts.  Sharon has all of  the quilt tops made and will be quilting them over her Spring Break.

Immokalee project:  Dresses are made and just need labels in them, Shorts need buttonholes but will be done soon.

Michigan project:   There are still some fleece blankets (for children) AND scrappy quilt tops (for women) that need to be made.  If you are helping us with any of these please let Sharon or Deborah know so we can include them in the count.

In October/November we will have a table at a church craft day to raise funds for Sewing Hands.  We will be selling pillowcases with matching dolls (dressed in the pillowcase fabric), placemats and matching christmas tree napkins, and tabletoppers with fabric that is appropriate for either Fall or Christmas.  As we get samples of these made up I will post them along with the prices.  We are also going to have ONE very special Christmas quilt that will be available for purchase.  All of these things will not only be wonderful for you to have for yourself but will make great gifts for the holiday season.

We've had a couple of recent donations -
         
        Joyce, THANK YOU for your generous donation
        THANK YOU Lynda for the space bags


Happy Sewing to Everyone,
Sharon & Deborah

Mountain Stitches Donation

Once again Sewing Hands has been blessed.  A very big THANK YOU to Susan Dudley (Mountain Stitches by Susan) for the enormously generous donation of yards and yards of beautiful wool.  Many beautiful receiving blankets for babies and lap blankets for seniors will be able to be made from this gorgeous material.
                                                                                

Susan's first-class quilt shop can be found in the Great Smoky Mountain Arts & Crafts Community. Please visit her website - http://mountainstitchesbysusan.com       

Thank you!

We received two generous donations that will enable us to buy all of the t-shirts AND more batting.  Thank you Jim and Mike!  Sewing Hands is very blessed to have friends like you.

3rd Project for 2013

         We have confirmation that the Friendship House in Immokalee, Florida would love to have 25 dresses and 25 shorts for the children that pass through their facility.  The Friendship house is a homeless shelter with 44 beds.  They serve men, women and families.  They have 3 rooms specifically dedicated to families and our contact, Ana Estrella, told me yesterday that the family rooms are all full.  Immokalee is located in Collier County, Florida and is a farming community with many migrant workers.  These individuals work long hours in the orange groves and tomato fields.   Sewing Hands is very excited to be able to use our sewing talents to help the children living at the Friendship House!  Deborah is heading up the coordination of dresses and shorts.  If you are interested in helping with this project please contact us at handmadebysewinghands@gmail.com

Video - How to Make a Scrappy Block

My first attempt at a video!  How to Make a Scrappy Block

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Sewing Hands!  It is time to begin our projects for 2013.   Here is what is (so far) on the drawing board (or cutting table as the case may be).

SPRING PROJECT - Hagar's House, New Orleans Louisiana (click on the link to learn more)
                                   This is a homeless shelter for women and children.  They would like 10
                                    quilts, some dresses for toddler girls and some shorts for pre-teen girls.
                                    Sharon and Deborah will be making the delivery June 1st.


FALL PROJECT -    A domestic violence abuse shelter in Michigan.  Due to the nature of this
                                  agency we have agreed to not publish their name or city.  They have asked
                                  for 20 quilts for women and 30 fleece blankets for children.


We realize that many of you like to make the clothing and there wasn't a large request for dresses and shorts from these two places.  So we are working on a third project that would require 25 dresses and 25 shorts.  Once we receive confirmation I will put out another blog to give you the particulars.

So....before we all run over to our sewing machines I need to thank some new helpers.

Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Bollmeyer for your donation!
Thank you Pam Reno for your donation!
Thank you Lois Kuhn for your donation!

Lastly, we have two new "sewing hands".... Lynda Everman, Tennessee and Karen Gormany, Wisconsin.   Welcome!  We appreciate you sharing your talents with us.

Happy Sewing,
Sharon and Deborah